The Flint Firebirds have partnered with C&L Ward for their third-annual “Stuff the Truck” food, toiletries and winter wear drive to benefit Catholic Charities’ three Soup Kitchens and Center for Hope Community Closet.

The event, which will kick off Catholic Charities’ ‘25 Days of Giving’ promotion will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 22 (the day before Thanksgiving). The goal is to fill one or more of C&L Ward’s box trucks with non-perishable foods, toiletries, warm clothing and household items such as pillows, bath towels and blankets during the event. Monetary donations will be accepted, as well.

The truck will be at Dort Federal Event Center from 5-7 p.m. before the Flint Firebirds vs. Saginaw Spirit game that evening. There will be a free ticket to Wednesday night’s game for fans that donate 5 or more items and/or one coat or blanket (one ticket per person present, per 5+ items).

In addition, C&L Ward will offer refreshments and a chance to register for a VIP ticket and merchandise package for the Dec. 2 Firebirds’ game and C&L Ward’s $10,000.00 Home Makeover. In addition to the drive, the Flint Firebirds and United Way of Genesee County will donate the evening’s 50-50 earnings to Catholic Charities.

Those wishing to drop off donations prior to the event may do so beginning today, Monday, Nov 20 at the Dort Federal Event Center’s team merchandise store, C&L Ward’s Davison location at 9284 Lapeer Road, or Catholic Charities’ North End Soup Kitchen located at 735 East Stewart Avenue, Flint. Tickets for the Nov. 22 game will be available at each of these locations when the donation is made.

“We are excited to be partnering with our sponsor C&L Ward to help “Stuff the Truck” for Catholic Charities and help kick off the 25 Days of Giving again this season” said Costa Papista, President of the Flint Firebirds. “Catholic Charities provides a critical service to our community.”

“There are so many individuals and families in our community who are struggling to get by; I think this is especially true during the holiday season,” Vicky Schultz, President and CEO of Catholic Charities commented. “We are so grateful to C&L Ward for joining Catholic Charities and the Flint Firebirds to help those in need, and for their ongoing commitment to giving back to our community,” added Schultz.

“We have worked with Catholic Charities in the past and understand the real and immediate need in our community for not only hot meals from the soup kitchen but toiletries, clothing and household items for those that the community closet serves,” stated John Sheick, Marketing Manager for C&L Ward. “We feel that people will be shopping for their own Thanksgiving feasts during this time, so we want to encourage them to buy a little extra and bring it to the game to help us fill our truck so those in need have these items during the cold winter months.” Sheick continues, “The Flint Firebirds are a great partner of ours and expanding the event for its fourth year has been a huge benefit to Catholic Charities.”

Catholic Charities’ three Soup Kitchens served more than 197,000 meals to Genesee County residents last year and rely heavily on donations to make this possible. They accept non-perishable food items, cutlery kits, cups, napkins, and monetary donations. Foods most needed currently are: pasta, tomato sauce, canned vegetables, canned meat, rice, beans, boxed potatoes, stuffing and canned fruit.

Catholic Charities’ Center for Hope Community Closet distributes toiletries, household items and clothing to the less fortunate. They are most in need of pillows, sheets, bath towels, bar soap, dish soap, laundry soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper and deodorant. They gladly accept travel-sized and hotel toiletries. In addition, there is an urgent need for new or gently used winter items such as hats, gloves, mittens, coats, snow pants, boots, blankets, etc., for all ages, especially for children. They have distributed more than 900 coats since Oct. 1 of this year and need many more. As a side note, any clothing needing repair should be put in a separate bag and labeled. Catholic Charities has volunteers who will repair the items, making them wearable for the recipients.

C&L Ward does several community goodwill programs throughout the year including a month-long breast cancer awareness fundraiser, Shingles for Shelter – an annual roof giveaway program donating to someone in need, and Owens Corning’s Roof Deployment Project gifting a roof to a military veteran.

About C&L WardC&L Ward is Michigan’s top provider of exterior home improvement replacement products and services. Founded in 1972, C&L Ward is a family-owned and operated corporation that is strongly committed to complete customer satisfaction. They have three interactive showroom locations displaying windows, siding, roofing & decking products and service the Flint, Great Lakes Bay, Lansing and Metro Detroit areas. Recognized by both Qualified Remodeler and Remodeling magazines as one of the nation’s top remodeling firms in the last 7 consecutive years, they have over 30,000 satisfied clients and offer FREE in-home consultations. For more information, visit them at goclward.com.

About Flint FirebirdsThe Flint Firebirds are a proud member of the prestigious Ontario Hockey League (OHL) based in Flint, Michigan, USA. The team is part of the West Division of the Western Conference in the OHL, known as the premiere player development league for the NHL. The Firebirds players, generally ranging in ages between 16 and 20, play their home games at the newly renovated Dort Federal Event Center in Flint between the months of September and March.

About Catholic Charities of Genesee and Shiawassee CountiesCatholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties has been Providing Help and Creating Hope for people in need since 1941, serving all people regardless of faith. This diverse social services agency offers an array of programs including counseling, substance use treatment, prevention and education, foster care, adoption, Center for Hope Community Closet and Warming Center as well as the North End, Center for Hope and South Flint Soup Kitchens. For more information about services, please call 810-232-9950.

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